Basic Cancer Info

This article, The Side Effect Roulette of Cancer Treatment discusses the benefits of frank talk with your care team about side effects.  Many people don't realize their oncology team can mitigate many side effects and symptoms.  We've come a long way from the days when cancer treatment didn't include pain management let alone side effect symptom managment.

Below are patient advocate info links that you may have missed.  They were recorded during our targeted therapies forum but these pieces are valuable to anyone. 

Nutrition during cancer treatment

Finding resources for patient and caregivers

Recently had the 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) PET/CT scan done, whole body. I had a few nodes in my saliva glands, but in addition, the other abnormality is Unilateral Ischium Body SUV of 4.6. The report does not state the size, so would that indicated the ‘whole left’ ischial body is affected? The SUV 4.6 is elevated for that small bone.
I have had positive Bence Jones blood and urine proteins and positive protein electrophoresis with no M spike. I have very intractable symptoms of bone pain, lower abdomen pain and exhaustion.

At 58, my dad as a non-smoker was diagnosed with stage 3c, assumed 4, adenocarcinoma of the lung. It's spread to his local lymph nodes and also into his trachea and more than likely his adrenal glands. He found out he has a gene mutation, EFGR exon 19. So he went on Tagrisso and has had Amazing success over the last 22 months, and a free 22 months is nothing to balk at I know it's a big deal. But thursday we got the news that it looks like two new masses have sprouted up and the main one has grown slightly.

Hi I was watching Bhisham chera on YouTube about HPV and living on formites well I have to sets of clippers and I mistakenly cut my kids hair with the ones for down stairs and it's been driving me crazy is it possible to pass a infection of HPV to both my boys? I know this a weird question please help

Hi, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma with brain metastases 15 months ago. After all the analyses, it was determined that he has a mutation for which he is suitable to take Alecensa-Alectinib. After the initial use, her condition improved drastically. An intermediate CT scan from more than a month ago shows progression at one point, in the primary tumor. Head metastases are smaller. So, oligoprogression is at one point. We are a little disappointed because we read that Alecensa works for up to 37 months.

In 2020 I had left lower lobectomy for a single nodule 17 mm x11 mm with diagnosis of Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. No lymph or pleural involvement but STAS was present according to pathology report. Subsequent scans have shown a very small nodule in upper left lobe which is “slightly more conspicuous”. My surgeon has ordered Ct with contrast for my next scan in December. I had a repeat VATS two weeks after the first surgery due to a rather large hemothorax 1.8 liters and had a transfusion.

I am tech illiterate. I posted somewhere else on here and then saw this forum. I will post again, being I can’t find my original post.

How easy or difficult do you find communicating with your care team?

I came across this discussion by Dr. West, Better Communication Leads to Better Outcomes for Cancer Patients. 

I would say if you find yourself in a situation where your "communication" isn't taken as a serious piece of your cancer management remind your onc of this study...have the study especially the conclusion bookmarked or printed out to share.